Minister Heydon appoints Dr Robert Huey and David Markey to the Board of Horse Sport Ireland
- Foilsithe: 22 Bealtaine 2026
- An t-eolas is déanaí: 22 Bealtaine 2026
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD, has today made two appointments to the Board of Horse Sport Ireland (HSI). The Minister has agreed, in consultation with Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan TD, and Minister of State with responsibility for Sport and Postal Policy, Charlie McConalogue TD, on the appointment of Dr Robert Huey, representing Northern Ireland, and David Markey.
Minister Heydon said that:
“I am delighted to announce the appointments of Dr Robert Huey, representing Northern Ireland, and David Markey to the Board of Horse Sport Ireland (HSI). Both appointees will bring a wealth of expertise and experience to the Board of Horse Sport Ireland, and I am confident that these attributes will enhance governance and service delivery to the Sport Horse Industry."
Minister Heydon concluded by expressing his:
“sincere gratitude to Dr Huey and Mr Markey for accepting their appointments.”
Notes
The Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) Constitution provides that the term of office of the Chair and other Directors shall be three years from date of appointment and Directors are eligible to serve a maximum of two terms.
The Constitution for HSI provides that the Board includes nine Directors as follows:
- four members including the Chair appointed by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in consultation with the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport
- one Northern Ireland representative appointed by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in consultation with the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport
- four Industry representatives (currently one vacancy – high performance)
About Dr Robert Huey
Dr Robert Huey FRCVS qualified from UCD as a veterinarian in 1983. Following five years in mixed general practice he joined the State Veterinary Service rising to the position of Chief Veterinary Officer for Northern Ireland in 2013. Dr Huey retired from this position in 2024. In this position he participated in the Departmental Board chaired by the Permanent Secretary and led the Veterinary Service Board, a Group with responsibility for 750 staff and 57 million in budget.
He has significant board experience including as President of the North of Ireland Veterinary Association, the Veterinary Public Health Association in the UK, the Union of European Meat Hygienists and Vice President and Treasurer of the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe.
About David Markey
David Markey was the founder of IFP Media, one of Ireland’s top B2B publishing houses. Mr Markey first embarked on his magazine business adventure in 1975 with its flagship Irish Farmers Monthly title.
Mr Markey was a member of the RDS Industry and Commerce Committee from 2011 to 2018 was President of the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists. He is an Honorary Lifetime Member of the Guild of Agricultural Journalists and was honoured with a lifetime achievement award at the 2017 Irish Magazine Awards staged at Dublin’s Smock Alley Theatre.